Understanding Modern Warfare

by David Jordan , James D. Kiras , David J. Lonsdale , Ian Speller , Christopher Tuck , C. Dale Walton

• ISBN13: 9780521700382
• ISBN10: 0521700388
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-11-03
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

A major new study of the theory and practice of warfare in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Using relevant examples from recent history, this book provides a complete introduction to the issues, ideas, concepts, context and vocabulary of modern warfare. The expert team of authors explore the conduct of war across land, sea, air and space in addition to addressing key issues relating to contemporary strategy, weapons of mass destruction and irregular warfare, including insurgency, terrorism and civil war. They provide an incisive and structured grounding in military theory and argue for the importance of understanding warfare within the joint (inter-service) context and as an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary phenomenon. By providing the tools required to truly understand contemporary military doctrine this accessible survey will be an invaluable resource for any student of military history or international relations as well as for military professionals.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	p. vii
List of boxes and tables	p. x
Preface	p. xii
How to use this book	p. xiv
Introduction	p. 1
Strategy	p. 14
Strategic Studies	p. 17
Why is strategy difficult?	p. 27
Strategic theory	p. 40
The use of force	p. 49
Strategy today	p. 54
Land warfare	p. 64
Concepts of land warfare	p. 67
Modern land warfare	p. 80
Future land warfare	p. 107
Naval warfare	p. 122
Concepts of naval warfare	p. 125
Modern naval warfare	p. 143
Contemporary and future naval warfare	p. 165
Air and space warfare	p. 178
Concepts of air warfare	p. 182
Modern air warfare - principles and practice	p. 187
Space power	p. 212
Irregular warfare	p. 224
Definitions	p. 229
Understanding modern irregular warfare through the lens of the past	p. 238
Post-colonial wars and the 'golden age of counter-insurgency'	p. 257
Why is modern irregular warfare so difficult?	p. 268
Weapons of mass destruction	p. 292
Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs): a brief introduction	p. 296
Non-combat uses of WMDs	p. 318
The First and Second Nuclear Ages	p. 326
Glossary	p. 341
Index	p. 351
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